May 2009

It's warm weather vacation season and I'm yearning for a tropical oasis. I know, I know...I just got back from Florida, but a girl can still dream. Matthew Williamson designed Pucci's Spring 2009 Collection with one single inspiration in mind...the birthplace of Pucci - the island of Capri. It's gorgeous, I've been there, I can vouch.

This was Matthew's last run as Pucci's head designer and boy, was it a doozy. Enticing every square inch of me to want to flee the states and head to any island, any where. The tropical prints, mesh heels, statement necklaces and barely there bags all have me yearning for one thing...the sun. I've put together some speedy-savvy-stylin' below, both steals and deals. If you're weekend forecast is anything like ours in Northern California, I'll definitely be donning a sweater but daydreaming of warm temps to come.

Not to worry, I'm off to Austin, Texas next week where the heat is sweltering and the BBQ is awesome...and believe me, I'll be taking my hot new H&M Tropical print maxi with me, along with some NEUTRAL basics and both of my PERFECT summer dresses! Enjoy and add a tropical piece to your summer dressing today!

Do you remember when we chatted about a RUSH OF BLUSH back in January? Well, the neutral palette has hit the fashion scene fullforce and is now one of summer's hottest hues. Lady-like, feminine and good on numerous skin tones, blush colored frocks will not leave you fading into the background. Shopbop's Online Fashion Mag The Edit recently covered the gorgeous trend, snippets featured above. Love the model...love the looks...love the mood. It's brilliant!

The true Summer months are quickly approaching which means long hot days and warm starlit nights...late night dinners and BBQ's with friends. I love Summer fashions because dresses are donned all day long. Seriously, all I do is switch out my gladiators for hot evening heels. But the one key piece for easy-breezy summer dressing is that perfect dress. The one you can don as a beach coverup but also sport to a candle-lit dinner. The dress that's comfortable enough to wear racing through the airport and chic enough for a day shopping with the girls. I commend the three celebs above for their easy-breezy one dress wonders.

My perfect summer dress? I have a few...and I always seem to stumble upon their fashion perfection very unexpectedly. One I got from a hole-in-the-wall boutique in the Caribbean and paid $10 for it. It's finally on its last leg as the straps are stretched out beyond repair (boo!) Another I breezed past at TJ Maxx and the emerald green caught my eye. I didn't even try it on and just bought it (I never do that) and it's now always in my summer wardrobe rotation. One things consistent in these stunners; simplicity.

I love that summer dressing doesn't embody loading on the accessories, keeping it simple is key. These dresses can be worn with flip flops or paired with stilettos too. I've sported mine over WHITE wide leg linen trousers and a big sun hat while traveling Europe. Every time I put one of them on I instantly feel pretty, girly and most importantly...stylish.

I can't correctly depict what your perfect summer dress will be, I leave that up to you! Just to help, I've added some speedy-savvy-stylin' (all under $50) below to get you going. Remember, you want this to be your go-to perfect dress to quickly throw on and race out the door. No accessories needed...minimal makeup and messy hair, no problem. The dress makes you feel gorgeous, chic and put together!

My dear friend and bride-to-be, Miss Jordan R, is in desperate need of some fashionable advice for her Bridal Party ensembles. RWD is truly honored to actually be standing next to the gorgeous couple on their special day in August. The look so far? A gorgeous taupe colored and slightly metallic bridesmaids gown. So...the issue? What accessories to pair with it. I told Jordan not to worry...I have her covered.

Jordan mentioned the idea of loving pearl accents and also wanting the girls to only be in a kitten heel, no higher, as she'll be donning flats under her breathtakingly chic gown. She also has thrown around the idea of some color but eventually we were back to muted tones and metallic undertones. Gorgeous!

Since I didn't want to give away the exact look of the dress, I chose a 3.1 Phillip Lim Asymmetrical Column dress in a very similar hue. I've shown three different ensemble ideas above that I absolutely adore. The first and last being very classic, playing up the pearls and glam and letting the dress do all the shining. The middle ensemble takes cues from some black tones accentuating the fella's tuxes.

I've also added some rigorously search out speedy-savvy-stylin' below, with everything coming in at under $50. Metallic, black and creamy-white sandal suggestions along with some gorgeous accessories to take the dress up a notch. Thanks Jordan for letting RWD feature your fashion needs...I am truly honored to stand next to you and Nathan this August. No matter the amount of baubles and glam you give your maids...there will be no out-shining your gorgeousness on such an awesome day. Enjoy!

Nicole Richie is one fashionable lady I never tire of. Her style is always, well...her style. She's my automatic go-to for laid-back, boho-chic inspiration. Even though it's overcast, cloudy and fifty degrees here in San Francisco, I know many a reader is heading out to a Memorial Day Picnic so I wanted to give you some pointers/inspiration on what to don.

I put together two adorable ensembles below taking cues from Nicole Richie's looks above. First up, sweet CUTOFFS with a PAISLEY peasant top...and then a long maxi skirt with an everyday tank. Both looks are worn with awesome GLADIATOR SANDALS and shared accessories. I also adore the beaded hair band for $3.99 and the Exquisite Medallion Necklace for $11.80. Oh yeah, every single piece is under $25! That's right...you're welcome!

Seriously, so many pieces I want to scoop up now. Hmmm...maybe we'll spend today at the mall shopping the sales instead of our previously planned park picnic since it's so cold. Enjoy and please remember to take a moment and reflect upon what today is all about...we are so blessed to have our freedom.

For little pale me, this here is a daring choice. Now...let's go back two/three years and I'd be sporting this all over the Caribbean and Florida. Now that I'm a northern Cali girl and well, the sun just don't shine as much in these parts, I think I'll leave this one up to you, dear tan/sun-kissed readers. If you have abs then this is a definite do for you. Maybe your still doing those crunches to get into bikini shape...take style notes from Kate Bosworth (above) and layer a tank underneath your cropped goodie.

Just for the record, exposing your mid-drift is no longer a fashion taboo...it's HOT! Some speedy-savvy-stylin' below to get your cropped shopping started early. Be the first to don this daring new trend. Take time to breeze through my awesome selection below. I really love the bright YELLOW hue of the Corey Lynn Calter Marla Cropped Flutter Top for $37.19 (that's such a mouth full) and would totally wear that with boyfriend jeans and gladiator sandals all Summer long. Seriously, if you've already jumped on this trend train...tag me in a pic on Facebook (link below too) and I might just feature your look. Enjoy!

Now, this is why I adore Summertime...seriously! With less than one month to go, as Summer's official due-date is creeping near, I just had to share my fave all-weather fashion trend. Bright, stunning, cheery, eye-catching COLOR. I mix these bold hues into my wardrobe rotation on a weekly basis.

As our recent trip to Florida came to a close, I promised myself I'd keep donning the bright hues all Summer long, even if San Francisco is known for it's chilly climate. Accessories are a great way to add a pop of bright Summer color to a white dress. I also just sported a great H&M blazer in the same hue as Chris Benz's tunic above. I wore it over a white TIERED dress and it truly made my blue eyes pop!

Some speedy-savvy-stylin' below to get you going. All the pieces are under $50 so there's no excuse at all on your part. I've made it beyond easy for you to scoop up a bright key piece to sport all Summer long. My faves from below? I love the TURQUOISE Skygazer Drop Earrings for $29.95 and the Matisse Mix Salsa Tee for $34.99 would go perfect with WHITE JEANS/trousers. If great gams are what you have then please snatch up the Pixel Plaid Sunset Short for $43 from Fred Flare. I also adore colored denim and the Blu Bijoux Enamel Bracelets for $28. Enjoy...I know you will!

A few weeks ago RWD Hubby and myself did a shopping excursion and just stumbled into JCPenney. I can honestly say I remember going here as a little girl but don't frequent this store at all. I was surprised as I browsed Ralph Lauren's new in-store designer collection for JCP called American Living because I really found it affordable, cute and totally wearable (though the huge eagle on everything really annoyed me). As RWD Hubby found himself a dinner jacket I migrated towards the women's section to have a peek at this here I Heart Ronson Collection. Walking around in circles, I asked a cashier where it was...she promptly said she'd never heard of it. What?

Ten minutes later as I'm knee-deep in Sephora, (sidenote - Did you even KNOW they have in-store Stephora stores in JCP now? Yeah, me either. I sucked up all the oxygen when I saw it!) RWD comes cruising around the corner asking if I'm ready to go look at dresses. We walk around and BAM...we stumble upon the I Heart Ronson Collection (stupid cashier). Seriously, it had been picked through and not much was left...boo!

I did score a pair of $14.99 skinny jeans as over half of the Collection was on sale. I wanted to share my thoughts about these stunners with you. They fit a woman's body (read: I'm not a bean pole teenager anymore) and have a slight hint of elasticity to them. They have a fancy floral design on one back pocket and the dark wash will go with everything; dress it up, dress it down. They are identical to the ones seen on the model in the upper left, above. Have a JCP near you? Might just be worth your while to check out the sale rock at I Heart Ronson. I found a steal...I'm sure you will too! Enjoy!

I have something very embarrassing and possibly shocking to share with you. Up until one week ago, I had never seen the first season of SATC! Insanity? Crazy? I know. My sister about choked in laughter when I told her this as she's a devout SATC fanatic...Season 1 ended up on my doorstep a week later. I, on the other hand, loved the movie but have only seen snippets of the popular HBO series...sis now deemed it time! So during my recent trip to Florida...I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed season one during our long cross-country flight. Yes, the time literally flew by.

More importantly, focusing on the fashion...and boy was I in for a surprise. I absolutely loved it and now know why the obsession took place and still does. Upon watching it, as I naturally do with everything, I'm scanning the choice of wardrobe and taking mental notes. All of the sudden I realized that many of the looks, colors and cuts are very much, back in fashion. Who woulda thought that SATC Season 1 would be on-trend in today's market?

Check the above stills from Season 1. Pieces that stand out; statement making color-block clutch, peek-a-boo lace, scarves galore, silky satin cocktail numbers, the color pink, fancy feathers and killer heels that are to die for. I told you so. Well, I've put together some speedy-savvy-stylin' below to show you some chic pieces that are 'very Carrie' and would be great additions to your Summer wardrobe. Enjoy and someone please loan me Season 2!

Readers...meet 80's Purple! 80's Purple...meet some new fans! I absolutely adore this online boutique and felt a need to share it with you. Accessories, clothing and wearable/noticeable clothing is 80's Purple's forte. Located in Huntington Beach, CA, 80's is NOT a retail store and purchases can only be made via the web. Also, be sure sign up for their EMAIL newsletter and be completely inspired to kick your wardrobe choices up a notch, or two.

Secondly, I just wanted to feature a few of the standout shots from their Summer '09 Lookbook above. You know my love for all things PLAID and their shirts and unisex and oh so perfect. So, snatch up some of my fave pieces via my Polyvore collage below! Seriously, the glasses are only $10. Worth a peek as we've told you this look is uber chic HERE! Enjoy and take some time to explore this gorgeous, infectious and trend-setting site!

Stella McCartney is just pure fashion genius in my eyes. She always just...'gets it right!' Her new capsule collection for Net-a-Porter is whimsical and lady-like. I love it. I'm inspired to possibly add a piece to my summer wardrobe rotation, but they ring in at a hefty price...the least expensive item being the Cloud Print Shopper for $185.

But, as you can see, it made one of my top fave pieces from the Collection, highlighted in the collage below. Well if you can't get your recessionista grubs on some Stella, fret not. I've provided some speedy-savvy-stylin' below to get your 'head in the clouds' and donning some stylish cloud-like goods, pronto! Enjoy!

PS - Make sure to check out Stella's Net-a-Porter Video HERE. She inspires...that's for SURE!

I love anything and everything mosaic. Enamel jewelry, killer scarves, long caftans and eye catching dresses all come in incredible mosaic prints and I absolutely adore them. Just yesterday RWD Hubby and I were racing through the Orlando, FL airport and I noticed the gorgeous mosaic tiles on the ground and told him how pretty I thought it was. It got me thinking about the print used in fashion and voilà we have this here awesome post.

I love how the three ladies above are wearing gorgeous mosaic print frocks and remember to keep the rest of the look simple and understated. Let the tiled goodness shine bright by keeping the accessories minimal. I've provided some speedy-savvy-stylin' below. I'm in love with the Mosaic Dangle Earrings for $14 from Swell (can't beat that price) and the Tory Burch 'Julia' Silk Jersey Dress would be a great Summer Date Night dress as it's sure to turn heads. Enjoy and be sure to add a mosaic piece to your Summer 2009 lineup!

Oh honey, this is NOT your Mom's tiered dress. No...no...no! These are sexy, sophisticated and completely figure-flattering! Lately, I've been buying ALL the new on-trend tiered dresses I can get my hands on. Seriously, obsessed...I honestly just can't get enough of them.

Full and noticeable/subtle and sexy...they've each found a place in my closet, as of recent. H&M has some great finds as does Bloomingdales and Target too. So the prices run the gamut, truly something for everyone!

As RWD Hubby, Zola and myself are heading back to my hometown in Florida today for a weekend family wedding, I've scooped up a few new tiered goodies for the soirees/bbqs and I can honestly say I'm so excited to don the goods. Naturally, some speedy-savvy-stylin' below because this IS a wardrobe essential...not just something I think you might 'want' to have...you NEED it, believe me!

Last week, I tried on a whiteBCBG Max Azria tiered stunner (similar to the one below but strapless) and wow, I had to shield my eyes from the price tag and walk briskly to the register to pay. It was one of those OMG dresses! Where you put it on and you think, 'this...is...bad...ass!' Yep, I felt gorgeous, hot and when I tried it on later, back at the RWD casa...RWD Hubby concurred. A good purchase as it's a timeless piece that I can wear over and over and over again.

So dear readers, find yourself some tiers and start strutting that hot Summer bod a month early! Enjoy! Oh and PS - I love how Leighton Meester mixed it up above, adding a leather bomber and sneaks to her tiered mini! You know I'll be rotating my tiers into a more casual look just like that! Bravo, Meester!

Can you see my skin glowing from there? Oh ladies...I just came back from a FREE Origins facial and it was pure, recession-friendly...heaven. Maybe it was my girl Amy whose gentle touch, sweet voice and soothing demeanor got me totally relaxed and enjoying the 30 minute procedure. Or possibly the fantastic smelling products (I chose the Hydrate and Repair Facial) that make any lady feel more feminine. There was also the Zero Gravity chair...yep, heaven!

Check out Origins homepage HERE and book an appointment at your nearest store. If you clic on the FREE GIFT FOR MOM at on the bottom of the page, you'll be redirected to learning more about the Free Facial. I asked Amy and she said you do NOT have to be a Mom, but RWD is a puppy-mommy so it counts, right? Enjoy and let me know if you felt as luxurious as I did!